Rebels' Mike Bianco Promotes New Pitching Rotation Following Xavier Rivas Injury

Ole Miss Rebels coach Mike Bianco promoted all four of his opening weekend starters on Friday during his media day press conference.

The Ole Miss Rebels baseball team hit an obstacle just two weeks away from the start of their 2024 season, as LHP Xavier Rivas will be forced to miss the entire spring with a torn UCL. Rivas was slated to be Ole Miss' ace this season, so coach Mike Bianco has had to modify his pitching rotation a week before his team's opening series.

Fortunately, Ole Miss fans did not have to wait long to hear Bianco's solution, as he revealed the Rebels' entire opening day lineup on Friday. Bianco has RHP JT Quinn starting game 1, followed by LHP Gunnar Dennis and RHP Grayson Saunier on Saturday's double header, respectively, and will close the weekend out with RHP Riley Maddox on Sunday.

Bianco took time to promote the players who are shoring up a pitching staff that has been impacted heavily by injuries this season, starting with Quinn.

"[Quinn is] one of the returning SEC starters from last year, and certainly has had a tremendous fall and early spring," Bianco told reporters. "One of those guys that's not only earned it through what he's done in practice, but I think gives us the best opportunity and best chance to win on Friday night as we start the year. From body language, to attitude, to toughness, and of course a tremendous fastball and slider."

Bianco then raved about Dennis - the newest face in the rotation who spent the last two years in the JUCO ranks.

"Dennis is a left-handed junior college pitcher from Meridian Community College," Bianco said. "Not taking anything away from the pitchers, but from the first instrasquad [game] to last weekend, he's pitched better than anybody on the staff. He's certainly earned this role."

Bianco also gave a promising endorsement for Saunier, who registered a 2-4 record with 6.84 ERA as a true freshman in 2023.

Intrasquad Notebook: Gunnar Dennis Shines For Rebels on the Mound

"Last year, as painful as it was, guys gained valuable experience, and Grayson's one of those guys," Bianco said. "He's changed his body and put on about 20 pounds since last year, looks terrific. Had another great fall for us. In two intrasquad games this spring, he hasn't given up a earned run."

Last but not least, was Maddox, who is coming off Tommy John surgery from a season ago.

"Probably not until about mid or late fall did we start to think maybe [Maddox] could be a weekend starter," Bianco said. "Riley came back from an injury last year and pitched at the very end of the season, but it was a lot to ask. He kind of got thrown to the wolves, but we were hopeful. Pitched terrific this past fall and early spring. He's a guy who can run out, pitch to left-handers as well, and run through some lineups. He can really keep his pitch count low, run through some innings, and make it look easy."

Bianco and the Rebels will now prepare to head to Hawaii to take on the Rainbow Warriors next weekend, opening a four-game series on Friday. First pitch is set for 10:35 p.m. CT, and the game can be streamed on Spectrum Sports.